Hungary’s Holy Crown to be moved due to inadequate conditions

According to the Press Office of the National Assembly, the display case protecting the Holy Crown has broken down and must be moved until a new one is installed.

The Holy Crown and the coronation insignia (sceptre, national apple, sword), which are held in high esteem in Parliament, symbolise Hungary’s millennial history. The historical objects kept under the dome need great care to preserve their original state. As discovered earlier, the refrigeration system in the glass storage room for the coronation badges has broken down, so the temperature and humidity required for the coronation badges cannot be maintained.

The Parliament’s Office has requested tenders from a single company, Glasbau Hahn GmbH, the German manufacturer of the former display cases, under the negotiated procedure without a call for tenders. The contract for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the display case for the Holy Crown was signed in early November. As a result of the public procurement procedure, a contract was awarded to Glasbau Hahn GmbH.

The German manufacturer will be paid 151,000 euros, or more than 61 million forints at today’s exchange rate. This includes training for ten operators and two years of maintenance of the electrical components (temperature control system, humidity control system, hydraulic lifters, and lighting). The previous purchase price was 28 million forints, more than double the cost of the new equipment, HVG reports.

On the day the new display case is installed, the Holy Crown will be on display in the upper hall of the Parliament.

A Brief History of Hungary’s Holy Crown

The Holy Crown of Hungary has a history spanning over a thousand years and is closely linked to the country’s statehood.

Origin and Significance

The Holy Crown was the coronation insignia of Hungarian kings, and according to tradition, King Saint Stephen received it from the Pope around the year 1000. Although the authenticity of this claim is debated, the crown became a symbol of Hungarian sovereignty and independence.

Parts of the Crown

The current form of the crown was established by the late 12th century and consists of two main parts:

• The lower part (corona graeca) is believed to have originated from Byzantium and may have been a gift from Byzantine Emperor Michael VII Doukas.
• The upper part (corona latina) likely came from Western Europe and was added later.

The tilted cross, which is at the top of the crown, is thought to have been damaged in an accident.

The Crown’s Turbulent History

Throughout history, the Holy Crown has undergone numerous adventures:

• In 1526, after the Battle of Mohács, both John Szapolyai and Ferdinand I of Habsburg sought to possess it.
• In 1849, after the fall of Lajos Kossuth’s government, it was buried near Orșova to prevent capture, only to be recovered later.
• In 1945, American forces took it to the United States, where it remained until 1978, when it was returned to Hungary.

As we wrote earlier, First image of Hungary’s Holy Crown found in a Medieval German codex, read details HERE.